Standard Lemma guide

backslide

noun · verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • CMU ARPABET: B AE1 K S L AY2 D Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A backward regression; a reverting back to a worse state.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A dance move in which the feet are alternately slid back and the heels lifted, giving the illusion of walking forwards while actually moving backwards.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: dance, dancing, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: moonwalk

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To regress; to slip backwards or revert to a previous, worse state.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • He felt better for a little while, before his condition started to backslide.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: retrograde

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To shirk responsibility; to renege on one's obligations or commitments.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To revert back into a life of sin after being saved.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: Christianity

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

drop to a lower level, as in one's morals or standards

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: lapse

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: slip, drop off, drop away, fall away

History

Etymology

From back + slide.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: регресирам (regresiram) — to revert to a previous, worse state
  • Chinese Mandarin: 開倒車 /开倒车 (kāidàochē) — to revert to a previous, worse state
  • French: régresser — to revert to a previous, worse state
  • German: rückläufig werden — to revert to a previous, worse state
  • Portuguese: regredir — to revert to a previous, worse state
  • Portuguese: regressar — to revert to a previous, worse state
  • Portuguese: retroceder — to revert to a previous, worse state
  • Portuguese: decair — to revert to a previous, worse state
  • French: renier — to renege on one's obligations or commitments
  • French: revenir sur sa parole — to renege on one's obligations or commitments
  • French: se dédire — to renege on one's obligations or commitments
  • Portuguese: apostatar — to renege on one's obligations or commitments